Shadow box display carton

ABSTRACT

A display carton is formed by front and rear panels joined by side panels to provide a hollow body. A platform having precut openings therein is secured within the body. End flap means extend from opposite ends of the platform body along score lines which transversely intersect the platform openings. Each flap means has score lines spaced from and parallel to its first score line to define a frame portion which includes part of the corresponding platform opening, an end closure portion, and a tuck-in flap portion. The side panels have the usual dust flaps. When the carton is erected and the tuck-in flaps are inserted interiorly of the carton, the frame portion of each of the end flap means assumes an angular position relative to its adjacent platform portion and the end closure portion, and thereby serves as a frame member. The front panel is provided with hinged frame flaps which have angled free edges. When these flaps are infolded toward the platform, the angled edges cooperate with the frame portions to form a mitered frame. This frame construction gives a shadow box appearance to the assembled carton, and the assembly is securely maintained by the integral construction of the platform and the end flap means. The packaged article is inserted in the openings formed in the frame portions. Portions of the body of the article cooperate with the openings in the platform to be held thereby to maintain the article in its set position.

United States Patent [72] Inventor RobertH.Swanberg Westwood,N.J. [21]AppLNo. 848,526 [22] Filed Aug. 8, 1969 [45] Patented Mar. 16, 1971 [73]Assignee Union Camp Corporation New York, N.Y.

[54] SHADOW BOX DISPLAY CARTON 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 206/45.14, 206/4519 [51] lnt.Cl B65d5/50 [50] FieldofSearch..229/34,16; 206/45.14,45.l9,45.31

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,946,433 7/1960 Hennessey206/4519 3,252,566 5/1966 Hanson 206/4514 3,378,135 4/1968 Stone206/4514 3,419,133 12/1968 Stone 206/45.14

Primary Examiner-Joseph R. Leclair Assistant Examiner-Richard WagnerAttorneyAbraham A. Saffitz ABSTRACT: A display carton is formed by frontand rear panels joined by side panels to provide a hollow body. Aplatform having precut openings therein is secured within the body. Endflap means extend from opposite ends of the platform body along scorelines which transversely intersect the platform openings. Each flapmeans has score lines spaced from and parallel to its first score lineto define a frame portion which includes part of the correspondingplatform opening, an end closure portion, and a tuck-in flap portion.The side panels have the usual dust flaps. When the carton is erectedand the tuck-in flaps are inserted interiorly of the carton, the frameportion of each of the end flap means assumes an angular positionrelative to its adjacent platform portion and the end closure portion,and thereby serves as a frame member. The front panel is provided withhinged frame flaps which have angled free edges. When these flaps areinfolded toward the platform, the angled edges cooperate with the frameportions to form a mitered frame. This frame construction gives a shadowbox appearance to the assembled carton,

' and the assembly is securely maintained by the integral constructionof the platform and the end flap means. The packaged article is insertedin the openings formed in the frame portions. Portions of the body ofthe article cooperate with the openings in the platform to be heldthereby to maintain the article in its set position.

j PATENTED NARI s IHYI SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR ROBERTH.SWANBERG BY 0mm. Q59. 54

"' moanev PATENTEUHARI s 19H SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR ROBERT H SWANBERGATTORNEY snanow nox nisrLAY CARTON This invention relates to an articledisplay carton in the form of a shadow box. The shadow box effect isobtained by so folding the carton that a deep mitered frame is formed inwhich the article is positioned.

While the prior art discloses display shadow boxes, difficulty has beenencountered in holding the erected carton rigidly in its assembledcondition so that the sides and the portions forming the mitered frameeffect are maintained square and straight. Unless all the panels of thecarton are rigidly maintained in their proper position, the frame effectbecomes distorted and results in an unattractive display.

Another difficulty encountered in the prior art is in retaining thearticle in its set, exhibitedposition during shipment and display.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a shadow box typecarton having novel end flap means, whereby all parts of the assembledcarton are maintained in their assembled positions under all normalhandling conditions.

A further object is to provide a shadow box carton having a platformwith novel flap means extending from its opposite ends. Each flap meansis foldable along spaced score lines portion, and a tuck-in flapportion. Such integral formation of the above elements provides meansfor rigidly holding the carton in its assembled state.

Another object is to provide a carton which firmly holds the displayedarticle in its set display position and prevents undesirable movementsof the same.

A further object is to provide a shadow box carton which is easilyerected from a single blank and into which the packaged article isinserted by available machinery.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description and from the accompanying drawing, inwhich:

FIG. I is a plan view of a blank, cut, slit and scored, which, whenerected, will form a shadow box embodying the principles of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the erected carton with thearticle inserted therein for ready display;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the carton taken along section line3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the carton taken along section line4-4 of FIG. 2, the article therein being shown in phantom; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the erected carton with certain portionsthereof removed to illustrate the details of assembly of the carton atthose points.

The blank of FIG. 1 is made of paperboard stock or similar material, ofsuitable weight for the intended article to be packaged and displayedtherein. The paperboard may be coated or plain, and may be decorated asdesired. The blank comprises a panel 1 which serves as the platform inthe erected carton, platform panel 2, platform flap 3, back panel 4-,side panel 5, frame panels 6 and 7 forming a front panel 8, and sidepanel 9. Score lines 11, l2, 13, 14, and 16 define the extent of theabove panels and flap. A line of perforations 17, or similar easilyseparating means, defines the inner edges of frame panels 6 and 7 of thefront panel 8.

One of the essential features of the invention is the integral structureof platform 1 and the end flap means 20 and 21 located at the oppositeends of the platform. Platform 1 has a bottom opening comprisingsections 22 and 22a, and a top opening comprising sections 23 and 23a,for the reception of the article to be packaged. The specificconfigurations of these openings and sections thereof depend upon thetype and shape of the article, which may be in the form of a bottle,tube, jar or similar container.

For exemplary purposes, the disclosed carton is for displaying aslender, elongated bottle type container 24 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and4.

Bottom end flap means 20 is divided by score lines 25, 26 and 27 into aframe portion 28, end panel 29 and tuck-in flap 30, respectively, Topend flap means 21 is divided by score lines 32, 33 and 34 into a frameportion 35, end panel 36 and tuck-in flap 37, respectively. Score lines27 and 34 terminate in short lock slits 40 at their ends, whichinterlock with cooperating tabs on the dust flaps to be describedherebelow.

Dust flaps 411, 42, 43 and 4d a, from the opposite ends of side panels 5and 9, respectively, and are defined by score lines 45, 46, 47 and 48;respectively. One vertical edge of each dust flap has a configurationwhich provides a locking tab 50 adjacent its score line, which tabinterlocks with lock slit 40 in .and 53 extending in the directionsillustrated in FIG. 1 to cooperate with the frame portions 28 and 35 inthe erected carton to give the desired mitered frame effect. An opening55, symmetrical with respect to perforation line 17, is cut in framemembers 6 and 7. Opening 55 is shaped to receive and hold that portionof the packaged article positioned adjacent thereto.

In forming the blank into a flat tube for shipment, adhesive is appliedto the inside of flap 3. Platform 1 and its panel 2 and flap 3 arefolded along score line 13 to overlay the interior side of back panel 4and side panel 5. In that position, flap 3 is bonded to side panel 5.Adhesive is now applied to exposed surface of panel 2. The remainingpanels 8 and 9 are folded along score line 15 to overlay platform 1 andits panel 2 and flap 3. Side panel 9 is bonded at its outer edge to flap3, thus completing the tube.

The packer, whether mechanical or manual, can complete the setting up ofthe tube into a carton by applying pressure against score lines 13 and15 until sides 5 and 9 are perpendicular to back panel 4 and front panel8. This position is illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein side 5 with flap 3bonded thereto and side 9 with panel 2 bonded thereto are perpendicularto panel 4, as well as to platform I hinged to panel 2 and flap 3.

End flap means 20 is folded along score lines 25 and 26, whereby bottomframe portion 28 is defined. End flap means 21 is folded along scorelines 32 and 33, whereby top frame portion 35 is defined. Dust flaps 41to 44 are then folded over, and thereafter end closures or panels 29 and36 are folded over their corresponding dust flaps, and the assembly islocked by inserting the tuck-in flaps 30 and 37 within the carton andinterlocking lock slits 4t) and lock tabs 50.

By folding the and panels 29and 36 along their score lines 26 and 33 andthereafter inserting their respective tuck-in flaps 30 and 37 within thecarton, frame portions 28 and 35 are urged to assume their frameposition with respect to platform 1. This position is illustratedclearly in FIG. 5, wherein top frame portion 35 forms an angledconnection between end panel 36 and platform 1. Bottom frame portion 28,similarly, forms an angled connection between platform 1 and end panel29.

In setting up the carton, in view of the location of score lines 25 and32 with respect to openings 22-2211 and 23-23a, section 22a ispositioned in bottom frame portion 28, section 23a in top frame portion35 and sections 22 and 23 are positioned in theplatform, as illustratedin FIGS. 2, 4 and 5.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the final erection of the carton and theinsertion of the article, bottle 24, therein.

Frame flaps 6 and 7 are then separated along line 17 and are infoldedalong their score lines 15 and 16 toward the platform. Their anglededges 52 and 53 cooperate with frame portions 23 and 35 to form a shadowbox with a mitered frame effect. The top of bottle 2d is inserted inopening or secton 23a, and the bottom of bottle 24 is inserted orslipped into opening 22a, as shown in phantom'in FIG. 4. As will benoted from FIG. 5, the bottle rests on portions of dust flaps 41 and 43.The neck of the bottle is held within the cutouts forming opening 55 inframe members 6 and '7. Parts of the body of the bottle are also engagedby openings 22 and 23 in the platform.

The above construction results in a rigid shadow box carton with amitered frame effect and with the absence of gaps where .the frame sidesmeet. The integral formation of the platform, the two end panels and thetwo frame portions intermediate the platform and end panels results in arigid assembly holding all sides and panels straight and square so thatthe mitered frame effect is maintained and not distorted under normalhandling. The formation of openings and sections 22, 22a, 23, 23a and 55in relation to the platform and frame means holds the packaged articletightly in its set displayed position and prevents undesirable movement.The arrangement of the above openings also supportsand holds the articleso that its weight cannot pull the set up shadow box during shipment.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed forpurpose of illustration, it will be evident that various changes andmodifications may be made therein without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A carton comprising a hollow body formed by a front panel and rearpanel joined by two side panels, a platform secured within the body,flap means secured to opposite ends of the platform along score lines,each flap means having other score lines spaced from and parallel to itssaid score line to define with said score line a frame portion, an endpanel and a tuck-in flap, each of said frame portions assuming anangular relation with respect to the platform and its end panel to forma mitered frame portion when the tuck-in flap is inserted within thebody to position the end panel to close the body,

said front panel having separating means to divide the panel into twohinged frame members, each member having edge configuration cooperatingwith said angled frame portions when said frame members are infoldedtoward the platform, to thereby give a shadow box appearance to theerected carton.

2. The carton as claimed in claim 1, wherein dust flaps are provided ateach end of the side panels to be folded under said end panels.

3. The carton as claimed in claim 2, wherein dust flaps and tuck-inflaps are interlocked by lock slits in the tuck-in flaps cooperatingwith lock tabs on the dust flaps.

4. The carton as claimed in claim 1, wherein an opening is provided inthe platform and an adjacent frame portion, said opening providing afirst space in the angled frame portion for the reception of an end ofthe packaged article, and a second space for receiving a portion of thebody of the article to exert a holding force thereon.

5. The carton as claimed in claim 4, wherein a second opening isprovided in the platform and the opposite adjacent frame portion toreceive the other end of the packaged article and a portion of the bodythereof.

6. A carton as claimed in claim 4, wherein cooperating indentations areformed in the free opposing edges of the frame members to receive thearticle and exert a holding force on the portion of the article adjacentthereto.

1. A carton comprising a hollow body formed by a front panel and rearpanel joined by two side panels, a platform secured within the body,flap means secured to opposite ends of the platform along score lines,each flap means having other score lines spaced from and parallel to itssaid score line to define with said score line a frame portion, an endpanel and a tuck-in flap, each of said frame portions assuming anangular relation with respect to the platform and its end panel to forma mitered frame portion when the tuck-in flap is inserted within thebody to position the end panel to close the body, said front panelhaving separating means to divide the panel into two hinged framemembers, each member having edge configuration cooperating with saidangled frame portions when said frame membeRs are infolded toward theplatform, to thereby give a shadow box appearance to the erected carton.2. The carton as claimed in claim 1, wherein dust flaps are provided ateach end of the side panels to be folded under said end panels.
 3. Thecarton as claimed in claim 2, wherein dust flaps and tuck-in flaps areinterlocked by lock slits in the tuck-in flaps cooperating with locktabs on the dust flaps.
 4. The carton as claimed in claim 1, wherein anopening is provided in the platform and an adjacent frame portion, saidopening providing a first space in the angled frame portion for thereception of an end of the packaged article, and a second space forreceiving a portion of the body of the article to exert a holding forcethereon.
 5. The carton as claimed in claim 4, wherein a second openingis provided in the platform and the opposite adjacent frame portion toreceive the other end of the packaged article and a portion of the bodythereof.
 6. A carton as claimed in claim 4, wherein cooperatingindentations are formed in the free opposing edges of the frame membersto receive the article and exert a holding force on the portion of thearticle adjacent thereto.